UGE1 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C005640.2 (symbol UGE1, also known as CmUGE1 or CmUGE3) encodes a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase, an enzyme that also possesses UDP-D-xylose-4-epimerase activity. The protein is associated with the Golgi membrane, cytosol, plasma membrane and nucleus, and is linked to galactose metabolism and anabolism, cell wall organization, guard cell fate commitment and differentiation, pollen development, and response to low humidity. In melon, the UGE3 variant has been directly connected to fruit sweetness. This gene is associated with fruit weight and size, stem length and diameter, heterosis, galactose tolerance, root gravitropism, and immunity to Botrytis cinerea. Related genes in other species are linked to seed coat mucilage homogalacturonan biosynthesis and stomatal development.